Help! I'm Drowning!

[AmyBoz]

Ladies, I don't even know where to begin! We are finishing cleaning out the other house today and there is just so much STUFF over here now, I don't even know how to start to put it all away.

One of my main problems is that I have no kitchen right now, so pots, pans, and dishes must remain boxed for the time being. I really want to organize Julia's playroom, but I feel like I should just shove stuff in here for now and organize later. My concern is that with school starting on the 7th, later will never come because I'll be too busy and the playroom will be a disaster area. There is definitely enough space in this house for everything, I am just really having a hard time finding a home for everything.

So, what do you think? Just get everything to it's room and organize later, or organize as I go?

<--- That's how I'm feeling right now.

[slowtypinwoman]

Amy, so sorry this is happening. I know moving is stressful enough with out adding a new school year to it too. Coming from our home remodeling experience, you are right on the time will never get here if you just shove them in a room. I would do one room at a time. If you have all these things staring at you it will be more of an insentive to get it done and get it done the right way. Good luck!
Marcia

[homesteadmamma]

I'd organize has you go. For me, when we move it always seems easier that way. It just becomes so overwhelming when everything is in one room. I just tend to shut the door and leave it until forever.

Good luck in whichever way you go.

[Darlene]

I can bet this is a bit overwhelming. I know this must be tough on you (seeing that you are the organizing queen and all) but I think you're just going to have to cut yourself some slack and know that it will get done bit by bit and not to stress yourself out about it. You have 2 little ones and so many things going on and can't do it all.

I guess I'd organize as I go along but still use the playroom or another room for the overflow. Creating a nice area for the kids to play so you can work without them underfoot would be a good thing to set up first.
Good luck Amy!

[Sara Noel]

When we moved, my first thought was prioritizing what we would need first.

Your kitchen isn't completed, so that isn't a "first" for you, but for me it was getting a few basics out of boxes.

I also wanted beds setup. I didn't need the entire room unpacked and placed, but wanted beds made up so we had a place to sleep.

I wanted all large furniture placed, lamps, tables etc.

I wanted bathrooms setup so we could shower and use the bathroom.

Breakables were near last of the list (as were pictures and wall decor) and my garage stuff was last.

The playroom, I had half of it in boxes even a couple of months after we moved in. It was in an area we only see and my kids still had access to their toys. It wasn't a priority. Plus, I wanted a new organization system here because I finally had room to do it.

I wanted the kid's rooms setup, so they could adjust and adapt as quickly as possible.

I would near complete one room, so you have at least one room to rest in that everyone can be in, so not every single room is buried in boxes. I used my kitchen, but since you don't have one...maybe strive for it to be the livingroom or familyroom. It was the retreat room. It kept me from feeling like everything was upside down.

Hope I helped a bit. I'm sure I left things out on what I did and also don't know if it would work for you or anyone else either. I only know what I did that made things a bit easier.

Unfortunately, we've moved 5 times in 6 yrs. ugh

[PrairieRose]

I was going to suggest what Sara just did.....I'd do the basics first and then decide what rooms are the most important to be finished with first. Hang in there Amy.....I know how organized you are, you'll get it done in no time. (Would you come and do my house next? )

[guest2]

I'd say organize as you go and don't stress out about it. You do not have to have the whole house unpacked before school starts, just the essentials. I'm sure the kids would be happy with just a few boxes of toys for the time being.

[missytata]

Sorry you are so overwhelmed right now. I think it might be easier in the long run to organize as you go. That way you are not faced with huge amounts of "stuff" to put away all in one room. Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will all workout!

[simplemom]

You got great advice there,from our friends, Amy. I'm sending you positve vibes that all will fall into place. Take it one box at a time...slowly, you'll make through....goodluck..I'm thinking of you.

[Jerseygirl]

Like Carolyn I put the boxes in their assigned rooms. Next I took things one room at a time, this is also how I clean. For me it was kitchen, then bedrooms to completion, it gave us some normalcy. I made it a goal to complete--to pics up on the walls and china in the cabinet, one room per day, but I had no kids in the house at the time. It helped to keep me focused knowing exactly what room I would be tackling the next day. Good luck with yours.

[canadian gardener]

AMY hugs!!!! this happens with each move, and I've moved a lot.

Even when it's to a bigger house. AND I'm fairly organized. DON'T FEEL BAD.

Shove it into the rooms where the stuff needs to live eventually and close the doors.

Start with your living room and the kid's rooms to have serenity and a place to rest.

Work your way thru a bit at a time.

Sometimes that sort of thing doens't work to do a big blast. You live in the space, and figure out that AHA it should go HERE not there where you thought.

Same in your kitchen.

Don't beat yourself up trying to do it all at once, even if by some miracle you could get it ALL done, and decorated and everything, it wouldn't work well.

The stuff needs time in the new house to figure out it's best arrangements.

And even when you thought you got rid of ALL the excess, the junk and the clutter, some (oh hey in MY moves A LOT) of stuff is suddenly staring up at you and you look down wondering why on earth you brought it along for the ride.

So I resign myself, it takes a big dejunking BEFORE and another couple of big dejunkings AFTER every move I"ve made before the house can breathe and feel "done".

And just do rooms on a rotation. Things like books can't be put away till the shelves are up, or something is installed or like your kitchen, till the cupboards are ready.

So relax, rotate thru, do what you can when you can.

And do a flylady trick and set the timer and after ever 20 minutes, have a 20 minute rest!

Unpakcing and putting away is exhausting work.